Fusion 360 no longer free?

[garylwenger]

I had been using Fusion for a couple years, or thereabouts, but have had a months-long hiatus recently. When I first signed up, it was free (for those earning under 100K with it, as I recall). But yesterday, when I tried tor re-download it on a new workstation and retrieve my files, I was unable to do so (I can see all my designs on the hub, but only with 'viewer' functions; no editing). I chose only a 30 day trial.

Must we now pony up $300, or $40 a month to get back in the saddle? I understand money must be made, but what a bummer!

[James.Youmatz]

Hi @garylwenger,

Nope, it is still free for hobbyists/enthusiasts/start-ups (under 100$k)! Just to check, do you see the Trial Expires in countdown timer? What happens is that freebie license lasts one year at a time, so annually you need to sign up again as a start-up. My guess is that your original start-up entitlement, hit that year limit and that is why you saw the trial timer. All you need to do is click that Trial Expires button and sign up as a start up again. Feel free to take screenshots of what you see though, I am a bit confused as to what is going on.

Thanks,

[garylwenger]

Thanks so much for the prompt response. I have a new workstation and am trying to re-install 360. The 'Countdown Timer' you speak of is on the 360 interface? I'm confused.

[James.Youmatz]

Hi @garylwenger,

Yep! After you re-install Fusion (which has no effect on entitlements - if you need a download link, here is one), Fusion will prompt you to sign in. Once you sign in, it will either pull your old entitlement (which would've been start-up) or put you into a Trial or a Trial expired period. Within Fusion 360, in the top-right corner next to your name would be a "Trial Expired" or "Trial Expires In" message (similar to what is seen in this article here). 

If you do not see this, then you already on an active entitlement. Within Fusion 360, you can verify this by going to the Help menu and selecting About. Next to Active Plan it should state if you are on trial, expired, start-up, etc.

Let me know!

Thanks,

[garylwenger]

Success!!! I see only 'Job Status', my name, and 'Help', so my subscription must still be active(?) Thanks a million James! You're a Godsend!

Gary

[garylwenger]

Under 'About', it says it expires January 11. Thanks again, James.

[James.Youmatz]

Hi @garylwenger,

Wouldn't necessarily call me a "Godsend", but I appreciate the kind words 

Yea, so realistically mid December you will see the countdown timer come into play (since it expires Jan 11, the timer starts 30 days prior to expiration). To sign up again, just click that trial expires button and sign up again! Feel free to reach out when this happens if you have any questions.

Thanks,

[garylwenger · Accepted solution]

You're too humble. Thanks so much, James. Now I understand how the freebie works.

Gary

[Anonymous]

Hello there, i just stumbled upon the same problem as described in this thread but obviously the design of the Fusion page has changed a bit since then, so there isnt a "trial expiration button" that i could click on. Is there any update maybe you could help me out with , James? Thanks a bunch in advance. 🙂
Ingo

[Mirko68]

Same here, did you solve that?

[g-andresen]

Hi,

1. Fusion Site

günther

[Mirko68]

@g-andresenI already installed the app, but I can't change the trial status.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

In the trial phase you can use Fusion to its full extent.
When the trial ends with the message "Expired Subscription Read Only" the license will be continued as a personal license.

günther

[Mirko68]

[g-andresen]

Hi,

Follow:

günther

[Mirko68]

Is in read-only mode, I can't save or export anything

[g-andresen]

Hi,

Did you follow the series of pictures exactly?

1. sign out  !!!

günther